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32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hope for the hopeless, March 27, 2010
This review is from: Blood Ransom (Mission Hope Series) (Paperback)
Natalie Sinclair went to the Republic of Dhambizao to find ways to bring healing to the African country but what she finds is a sickness far more devastating and insidious than Ebola or Malaria. Just five days before national elections, which hope to prove peaceful, Natalie meets Joseph Komboli. The young man tells her a horrifying story of "Ghost Soldiers" that raided his village and took his family away to work as slaves in the mineral mines. Somewhere near that village is the proof, a camera he used to record an evil everyone from high government officials to humanitarian workers refuse to admit even exists. Soon Natalie, Joseph, and Dr. Chad Talcott find themselves in a race for their lives to prove what no one wants to believe.
Though better known for her cozy mysteries and light romance, author Lisa Harris moves to new ground in this the first of her Mission Hope Series. Sure, there's a budding romance and the usual relational issues one might expect from Lisa's writing but that is where the similarities between her previous works and Blood Ransom end. Human trafficking and modern day slavery is real and too often either ignored or glossed over. Through the medium of fiction and suspense we are immersed in a world that unfortunately is far from fiction. The author is a missionary in Mozambique and it is obvious she knows what she is talking about. There is nothing cozy or romantic about a people abused by their own government and exploited by the greed of those they will never see face to face. Blood Ransom is about slavery but it focuses more on those who need to be convinced rather than those who are actually suffering. We see little of the plight of Joseph's family mining for precious metals so we can have cheap cell phones in the Western world. Instead, the author focuses on the difficulties involved in proving such atrocities are real and in finding anyone who cares. But there is hope in this story. Good men like Dr. Talcott do exist and others who have become callous and cynical can still have their hearts pricked.
This is an excellent first suspense novel for a seasoned romance writer. The pacing is good and we are swept along with the main characters in their desperate attempt at shining the light on a great darkness. While the ending is bit rushed, all in all Lisa Harris had done a great job of telling a good story while at the same time dealing with a difficult topic. That balancing act is seldom accomplished with great success and this novel is an exception to the rule. We look forward, as this series continues, to the hope this author shines on her beloved continent and the people that live, love, and suffer there.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A heart-pounding thrill ride, June 12, 2010
This review is from: Blood Ransom (Mission Hope Series) (Paperback)
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This is a book full of heart-pounding adventure. A young 15 year old boy named Joseph returns to his village. He sees his family and friends being attacked by "Ghost Solders", who many believe are rumor and nothing more. He watches his mother, sister, father and other love ones being taken into slavery. He knows they will be put to work in the diamond mines. Others like his grandfather, who are either too old or too weak to work are killed on the spot. Young Joseph knows people will not believe his story alone, so he decides to get some evidence. He takes some very incriminating photos and overhears a very incriminating conversation.
When people first hear Joseph's story, they think he made it up. But then they realize he would have no reason to lie. When they see the photos, they can no longer deny the existence of the Ghost Solders and how serious the situation really is. Joseph tells his story to two Americans, one a doctor, the other doing vaccinations in the area. Natalie Sinclair and Dr. Chad Talcott. They agree to help Joseph. What they don't realize, is that there are some people, high up in the country's government who will do anything, even kill, to keep those photos from being released to the press or anyone else. They quickly learn that a high ranking public official is involved, though they don't know how much.
They begin a race against time. They need to get the photos into the right hands, while avoiding the people who want them at any cost. This book is full of tense situations, narrow escapes, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. There are certain books that lend themselves to being made into a movie. I believe this is one of those books. I think this book would make an excellent movie. There's adventure, suspense, likeable characters, and even a little romance thrown in.
But these characters are not perfect. They sometimes lose their temper, they make bad decisions or use poor judgment, make mistakes, and question how a good God could allow such horrible atrocities. But you will root for them. A lot of the time, I can predict how a book is going to end very early on. But there is a twist at the end of this book that caught me completely by surprise. Throughout the book, you find yourself wondering which characters you can trust and which you can't. Some appear trustworthy but aren't, and others who at first glance don't elicit trust, are people you could trust with your life. This book will leave you guessing. I will definitely read other books by this author and highly recommend this work.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fiction that's True to Life, May 24, 2010
This review is from: Blood Ransom (Mission Hope Series) (Paperback)
In the African republic of Dhambizao, Natalie Sinclair works with Dr. Chad Talcott to eradicate diseases that are claiming whole towns. Meanwhile, Joseph Komboli returns to his village to find rebels abducting his family. When Chad and Natalie help Joseph expose the modern-day slave trade, they're courting disaster.
Review: This is not your typical fiction book. Lisa's story is based on real situations that exist in the world around us - especially in Africa. I applaud Lisa for being the voice of these hurting people and for making us aware of the horrific conditions and treatment of humans through this compelling story. Gabby is the journalist in this story who feels led to be the voice of this hurting nation and is willing to do the right thing, no matter what it costs. Lisa Harris gives voice to Gabby and her concerns in this startling story.
"Ghost Soldiers" were supposed to be nothing more than rumors--a myth--what if these rumors are true and people are disappearing from their villages because of them? Hundreds and thousands of people have vanished. It's not a rumor or myth, but a reality that Lisa Harris writes about.
Natalie Sinclair exterminates the diseases decimating whole villages. She comes in contact with fifteen year-old Joseph, who has proof the Ghost soldiers are real. Joseph is hurt, so Natalie takes him to see Dr. Chad Talcott, a surgeon on sabbatical from his medical practice where he volunteers in a small clinic. They recognized each other from High School.
Dr. Chad tells her not to get involved; it's best. Natalie takes Joseph back to his village to show her where his family disappeared. Joseph took pictures of people being killed and abducted by the Ghost Soldiers. After seeing proof, Natalie couldn't walk away. This wasn't right; they were selling and using people as slaves.
Natalie tells Dr. Chad of her discovery. Natalie and Chad embark on a mission to get this proof to the American Embassy. That's when the trouble begins. Natalie sends the proof to her journalist friend, Gabby, who says, "It's time we force these businesses and investors to change the despicable working conditions thousands are forced to live under. Nothing will change if they aren't held accountable. They need a voice. It's a heart-wrenching reality in our world, especially when one realizes human trafficking, child slavery and a booming sex industry, are all alive and well right here in the United States."
Lisa pens a heart-felt, thought provoking and compelling drama you won't soon forget. Blood Ransom is book one in the mission series. I'm so thankful to have received a copy of the powerfully moving book. I can't wait to read the next book.
ACFW Book Club Coordinator
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